[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult":3,"chapter-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-83":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Don't Mock the Poor Old Man: Gains a Year of Cultivation Every Day!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2312575,4520,"Chapter 83: Old Jiang, are you really watching over me?","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-83",83,"\u003Cp>“Come back, Little Fire!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye opened the jade box, and the fire centipede, which had been frolicking on Zhou Laoguai’s corpse, obediently slithered back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its slender body wriggled slightly, as if reluctant to leave, its two pairs of mandibles still stained with flesh and blood, glinting coldly under the moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get the heads of the other bandit leaders too—we can go back now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye tore off Zhou Laoguai’s clothes and wrapped the bloody head in them, holding it in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and walked steadily toward Heifeng Zhai .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mission required proof, and these bandit leaders’ heads were the best proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at Heifeng Zhai , every wooden hut still glowed with light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the entire stronghold was eerily silent, not a single voice to be heard—only the night wind brushing past, rustling the half-open wooden doors with a creaking sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corpses lay scattered across the ground in pools of blood, frozen into grotesque poses under the moonlight, silently recounting the bloody massacre that had just occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems Zhao Gang and Shi Lei have already gone down the mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye nodded slightly, glancing at the empty wooden huts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, after being rescued, Zhao Gang, Shi Lei, and the Su family guards had intended to check the condition of the stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they hadn’t taken more than a few steps before they saw the corpses littering the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, even Zhao Gang, a Hua Jing martial artist, nearly died of fright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did they realize just how terrifying the white-haired elder who had saved them truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They dared not linger a moment longer in the stronghold, grabbed the Su family’s stolen goods, and fled down the mountain as fast as they could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, halfway up Heisong Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak! What happened on the mountain? Why are all of you running down?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingshi grabbed a bandit fleeing downhill and demanded in a deep voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along his way up the mountain, he had already encountered several bandits fleeing in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those men knew the terrain well and escaped swiftly—even he, a Hua Jing martial artist, couldn’t catch them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he had caught one unlucky fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spare my life, great hero!! I’ll never be a bandit again—please, spare me...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit in his grip looked as if he had witnessed something horrific—he was mentally shattered, trembling violently, his face pale, repeating the same phrase over and over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What on earth is going on...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingshi frowned deeply, his confusion growing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Liu!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice of disbelief rang out from nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingshi turned to see Zhao Gang and Shi Lei, covered in blood, leading the way, followed by Su family guards laboriously dragging goods on a cart as they hurried down the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them trailed several emaciated women with tattered clothes, huddling together, their eyes filled with terror and bewilderment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Gang? Shi Lei? You... you got out of Heifeng Zhai ?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the usually composed Liu Qingshi couldn’t hide his shock—he looked as if he’d seen a ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, he wondered if he’d imagined it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelmed by astonishment, he lost control of his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandit’s neck snapped under his hand, his body slumping lifelessly to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About a cup of tea’s time later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingshi finally learned the full story from the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression grew even more horrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A mysterious white-haired elder single-handedly slaughtered every bandit leader and all the bandits in Heifeng Zhai ... and then saved you...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered those words under his breath, his horror giving way to awe and disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of luck was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, a strange thought flashed through his mind: “Old Jiang... could it really be you watching over me...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Liu, that scene... it was just too... too terrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the sight inside the stronghold, Zhao Gang’s face still flickered with fear—he was a Hua Jing martial artist, yet he couldn’t suppress it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swallowed hard, his voice trembling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bodies everywhere... blood everywhere... those bandits were cut down like grass...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes... that scene...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was just too horrifying...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve worked for the Su family for years—we’ve never seen anything like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those behind them nodded in silent dread, swallowing hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their reactions, Liu Qingshi took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever could wipe out Heifeng Zhai  so easily must be a powerful Bao Dan cultivator—his strength was unfathomable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Liu, these women were all victims taken up the mountain by the bandits...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Lei pointed to the women trailing behind, his face filled with pity: “I felt sorry for them... so I brought them down too...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingshi followed his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women, sensing his stare, huddled together, clinging to each other, their eyes filled with despair and helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their clothes were torn, their bodies emaciated, covered in bruises and wounds—they had clearly suffered terribly in the stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingshi sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This cruel world was to blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned away, giving Shi Lei a look of approval and a slight nod: “Well done. In times like these, one must hold onto a shred of righteousness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the group returned to Fucheng and stepped through the Su family’s gates, dawn was just breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Liu!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen staggered out from the hall, and when he saw the scene before him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingshi, Zhao Gang, Shi Lei, the guards—all covered in blood but alive, the cart behind them neatly piled with Su family goods—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grew weak in the knees, nearly collapsing to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Such great kindness—I don’t know how to repay you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen’s voice cracked, his eyes reddened; this seasoned merchant, who had weathered decades in business, now stood helplessly like a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Liu!! Thank you...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yan, following closely behind, had red-rimmed eyes, her beautiful gaze shimmering with tears of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To break the heavy atmosphere, Liu Qingshi shook his head slightly and made a rare joke: “Too bad my Yiyi is a girl—if she weren’t, I’d have you marry her off to her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen blinked in surprise, then couldn’t help smiling, continuing the jest: “Master Liu, you can still have another child!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Su Yan’s lingering emotion froze into a startled pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, an image from that night involuntarily surfaced in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She and Liu Yiyi had both...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a way, wasn’t that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever image she recalled made her ears suddenly flush crimson—the red spread from her ears to her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lowered her eyes, refusing to look at anyone, wishing she could vanish into a crack in the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of you, you’ve suffered greatly this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen, oblivious to his daughter’s reaction, turned solemnly to Zhao Gang, Shi Lei, and the guards, bowing deeply to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His back bent low, remaining so for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve prepared the finest healing herbs for you—go rest. Whatever you need, just say it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards thanked him repeatedly, supporting each other as they headed toward the side courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Gang and Shi Lei also bowed to Su Chen, then followed the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though their figures were weary, they radiated the quiet relief of survivors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After arranging for everyone, Su Chen and Su Yan’s gazes fell on the huddled figures at the end of the procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emaciated, tattered women stood timidly by the gate, uncertain, unsure where to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are these people...?” Su Chen blinked in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingshi sighed softly, his eyes filled with compassion: “They’re all poor souls taken up the mountain by the bandits. Shi Lei, being kind-hearted, decided to bring them down with us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yan stepped forward, studying the women closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each was gaunt, cheekbones protruding, skin bruised purple and blue—they had clearly endured unspeakable torment in the stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes were filled with terror and confusion, like birds startled by the wind—every rustle made them tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yan’s eyes grew even redder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke softly, her voice gentle yet firm: “The Su family will pay for their care. First, house them, send for a physician to treat their wounds, and then... help them find a new path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qingshi nodded approvingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, all his core disciples were kind-hearted people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this cruel world, holding onto such kindness was no small thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Liu Qingshi recounted in detail to Su Chen and his daughter how the Black Wind Fortress had been destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Black Wind Fortress was wiped out by a single white-haired elder?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen and Su Yan exchanged a glance, their faces filled with stunned disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had assumed it was Liu Qingshi who persuaded his friend from the Azure Heaven Sect to intervene and save them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they never expected it was someone else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This... was too much of a coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, Su Chen’s expression turned grave. “We must find out who this hero was that destroyed the Black Wind Fortress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yan nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes brimming with gratitude and reverence: “If we ever get the chance, we must sincerely thank this elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the one who wiped out the Black Wind Fortress may have had other motives, this unintended act had undoubtedly saved the Su family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would never forget this debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azure Heaven Sect, Juding Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Duty Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was early morning, the hall was already filled with inner-disciples who had arrived early to pick up assignments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gathered in small groups before the racks lined with task scrolls, whispering about which tasks were easy and which offered the best rewards, occasional soft laughter breaking through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah... ha...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Ying sat behind her desk, unable to resist stretching, her full curves clearly outlined beneath her steward’s robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let out a light yawn, her eyes still heavy with sleep, glancing at the ordinary disciples around her as they discussed which tasks to take—she shook her head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These younglings always pick the easiest jobs—when will they ever rise?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbidden, the image of yesterday’s unfamiliar Jiang Elder flashed through her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can he complete the mission to wipe out the Black Wind Fortress...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Ying muttered to herself, then shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous Azure Heaven Sect elders had all failed—this unfamiliar Jiang Elder was likely only recently entered the Golden Core realm; with his strength, he probably couldn’t...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy footstep cut through Cao Ying’s thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She instinctively looked up, her pupils contracting sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man stepping into the hall was none other than the unfamiliar Jiang Elder—his hand gripping a bulging, heavy sack that emitted a strong, foul stench, making anyone nearby feel nauseous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Elder, you...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Ying sprang up from behind her desk and hurried forward, about to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye casually tossed the sack onto the floor and said calmly, “Count it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dull thud echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sack hit the ground with a heavy thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Count what...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Ying froze, her eyes instinctively dropping to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahhhh—!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Ying’s scream pierced the entire Duty Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelmed by shock, the steward, whose cultivation was at the Condensation realm, heaved her full chest violently.\u003C\u002Fp>",1854,"2026-06-20T12:57:27.461Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","141d2e49211bbaaefe60fd12d30b83ccfbcc820aa48709e66c62ed72b2ffa72c","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-84","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-82",268,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdon-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-cover.jpg"]